2024’s highest paying jobs with a sport management degree (2024)

Have you pictured yourself working in the thrilling world of sports, but you were worried about financial stability? Well, ditch those concerns! A sport management degree can unlock the door to a lucrative and exciting career path.

This blog will delve into the world of sport management, exploring the highest-paying jobs and the key factors that influence sport management salaries.

The rich field of sport management

The sports industry is a multi-billion dollar powerhouse, encompassing everything from professional leagues and athletic events to sports apparel and marketing.¹

Sport management professionals play a crucial role in keeping this juggernaut running smoothly. They handle a wide range of tasks, from athlete representation and team management to marketing and event coordination.

If you possess a passion for sports and a knack for business, a career in sport management could be your perfect match.

But here's the real kicker: sport management careers can be incredibly rewarding, not just in terms of satisfaction, but also financially. So, let's address the burning question: does sport management pay well? Absolutely! With the proper education and experience, sport management professionals can command impressive salaries.

A deeper understanding of the numbers

In 2024, Ziprecruiter.com reported the average annual salary of sport management professionals across the nation to be $50,654.² However, this number can vary significantly depending on several factors, including location. This number rises to just above $55,000 in New York and is close to $60,000 per year in San Jose, California.

Highest-paying job locations for sport management professionals

As we’ve just seen, like any other profession, geography plays a significant role in sport management salaries. Major cities with large sports franchises typically offer higher salaries compared to smaller markets.

For instance, a director of sports marketing in San Jose, California, or New York might earn considerably more than their counterpart in a smaller city.³

Remember, this is only a snapshot of salaries and job opportunities.

While these cities generally offer higher salaries, specific roles, experience levels, and the success of the teams can also influence your earning potential.

The experience advantage: Why it matters in sport management

As with most careers, experience is a major determinant of salary in sport management. Entry-level positions naturally offer lower salaries, but as you gain experience and expertise, your earning potential increases significantly. An athletic director with a proven track record of success will likely command a much higher salary than a recent graduate filling their first athletic director role.⁴

Education also can help. Per Zippia.com, an athletic director with a master’s degree in sport management has an average annual salary of $87,858 versus the annual average of $71,311 for those without a master’s degree.⁴ Again, location can matter. An athletic director with a master’s degree in New York makes $92,655 on average, per year.⁴

Internships can also be powerful gateways to a well-paying career in sport management. Online master’s programs like the M.S. in sport management from the University of Kansas* have a capstone course that delivers the internship experience, which can be especially beneficial in the tight-knit world of sports, including at the professional organizational level.

KU course connection: HSES 880 – Internship in Sport Management

This course will provide for supervised and directed experiences in selected sport management settings. The instructor will supervise the internship, as well as conduct a conference call with the student and supervisor. Written summaries and evaluations of the internship will be prepared by the student, the agency supervisor, and the university graduate faculty member.

This course can be taken in any semester, by itself or alongside another course in the program.

The earning power of specialization

The specific job title within sport management also significantly impacts salary. For example, sports agents who represent high-profile athletes can earn millions of dollars in commissions, while Facilities Managers overseeing a local stadium might have a more modest salary.⁵

So, what are the highest-paying jobs in sport management? Let's delve into the top three and explore how you can position yourself for success.

1. Athletic director: The captain of the ship

Athletic directors oversee all intercollegiate athletic programs at a university or college. They are responsible for a wide range of duties, including budgeting, hiring coaches, ensuring NCAA compliance, and representing the athletic department to the public.

To become an athletic director, a master's degree in sport management and extensive experience in athletics are typically required.

• Median annual average salary: $71,311⁴

2. Sports marketing director: The mastermind behind the hype

Sports marketing directors are the strategic masterminds behind promoting a team, venue, or product. They develop marketing campaigns, manage social media presence, and oversee sponsorship deals. A sport management degree with a focus on marketing and experience in the sports industry are key qualifications for this role.

• National average salary: $144,579⁵

3. Sports agent: The power player

Sports agents represent the interests of professional athletes, negotiating contracts, securing endorsem*nts, and managing their careers.⁶ Top sports agents can earn millions of dollars depending on their client roster.⁷

• Median annual average salary: $132,810⁸

4. Facilities manager: The mastermind behind the scenes

Facilities Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of sports venues, ensuring their smooth functioning and safety. Their responsibilities include budgeting, scheduling maintenance, managing staff, and coordinating with event organizers. The average salary for facilities managers in the sports industry can vary depending on the size and location of the venue. A bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field, coupled with experience in facility management, is typically required.

• Median annual salary: $111,613⁹

5. Sports lawyer: The legal eagle of the game

Sports lawyers provide legal counsel to athletes, teams, leagues, and sporting organizations. They handle a variety of legal matters, including contract negotiations, intellectual property rights, and doping regulations. Sports lawyers can earn substantial salaries, with top earners pulling in over $200,000 annually.¹⁰ To become a Sports Lawyer, you'll need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a strong understanding of the legal complexities surrounding the sports industry.

• Annual average salary: $172,781¹⁰

Beyond the big five: A universe of opportunities in the sports industry

The world of sport management extends far beyond these top-paying roles. Here's a glimpse into some other lucrative and fulfilling career paths:

• Sport event managers: Sport event managers organize and oversee sporting events, ranging from local marathons to international tournaments. They ensure that every aspect of the event runs smoothly, managing logistics, scheduling, marketing, and coordination with vendors and sponsors.
• Sports public relations specialists: Sports public relations specialists manage the public image of athletes, teams, and organizations. They craft communication strategies, handle media relations, and work to enhance the reputation of their clients through various channels.
• Scouting and player personnel: Scouting and player personnel evaluate talent for professional sports teams and leagues. They travel extensively to watch games, assess players’ potential, and make recommendations to coaches and general managers about recruitment and player development.
• Broadcast management: Broadcast managers oversee the production and broadcasting of sporting events. This includes managing crews, coordinating live broadcasts, ensuring high-quality coverage, and adapting to the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of live sports.

The importance of passion over money

When it comes to choosing a career path in the sports industry, following your passion is far more important than simply chasing the highest-paying roles. Here’s why:

• Time in the field and connections: Dedication to your chosen area within the sports industry allows you to build invaluable experience and develop a network of contacts. These connections can lead to unexpected opportunities and career advancement. For example, a dedicated event manager might start with local events but eventually find themselves organizing major international tournaments thanks to their growing network and reputation.
• Job satisfaction and longevity: Passion fuels persistence and resilience. Those who genuinely love their work are more likely to invest the necessary time and effort to excel, even during challenging times. This dedication often leads to a long and satisfying career, whereas those driven solely by money might quickly burn out.
• Skill development: Following your passion enables you to develop a unique skill set tailored to your interests and strengths. Whether it's mastering the art of negotiation in public relations or developing an eye for talent in scouting, these specialized skills can set you apart in the competitive sports industry.
• Career versatility: Passionate individuals often explore various facets of their field, gaining a broad perspective and versatile skill set. This versatility can open doors to diverse career opportunities. For instance, someone passionate about sports communication might start in public relations and later transition to broadcast management or sports journalism.
• Lucrative pathways: While top-paying roles might seem attractive, many specialized and passion-driven careers in sports can also be financially rewarding. For example, a well-respected scout or a successful event manager can command high salaries and bonuses, especially as they build a track record of success and reliability.

In conclusion, pursuing a career in the sports industry should be driven by passion rather than the pursuit of money.
Focusing on your interests, dedicating time to honing your skills, and building strong connections, can help you create a fulfilling and potentially lucrative career path, no matter which area you choose to specialize in.¹¹

Become your own sport management powerhouse

The world of sport management offers a plethora of exciting and lucrative career paths. By equipping yourself with a strong sport management degree program, gaining relevant experience, and honing your business acumen, you can position yourself to become a high-earner in this dynamic industry.

The University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences (KU SOEHS) offers a leading online sport management degree program* that provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in this competitive field. The program curriculum covers various aspects of sport management, including marketing, finance, law, and event management.

KU graduates have a proven track record of success, securing positions with major sports franchises, professional leagues, and athletic organizations.

Contact a KU admissions outreach advisor today to make your mark in the lucrative field of sport management.

*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.